FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown High School Alumni Association is pleased to announce the creation of the Todd Wilkinson Scholarship.
This marks the 45th fully endowed scholarship in the Freddies Helping Freddies family of scholarships. The scholarship will be awarded for the first time in May 2027 to a graduating senior from Fredericktown High School.
The scholarship was established through the leadership, dedication, and generosity of Todd’s lifelong friends and Fredericktown High School football teammates, Rob McClelland, Jim Davis, and Jamie Bryant, who initiated the effort and mobilized broad support from the Wilkinson family and Todd’s friends to honor his legacy.
Todd Wilkinson, a member of Fredericktown’s celebrated and undefeated 1986 football team, passed away on Nov. 12, 2025, at the age of 57. The 1986 Freddies advanced to the Ohio State Final Four and were later inducted into the Fredericktown High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
A standout fullback and linebacker, Todd was remembered not only for his athletic ability but also for his character, work ethic, and kindness to others.
“Todd had a winning attitude and a heart of kindness,” McClelland said. “He was a great teammate, a great friend, and someone who always helped others. We started this scholarship because Todd would have loved helping future Freddies.”
Davis remembered Todd as someone who led by example. Whether in the weight room, on the football field, or later in his professional career, Todd earned respect through hard work, consistency, and his ability to get things done.
After attending Capital University for two years, Todd completed a degree in Construction Management and went on to build a distinguished career in commercial construction, ultimately serving as a senior executive with one of Central Ohio’s leading construction firms.
Bryant, another longtime friend and teammate, described Todd as “a phenomenal person” and one of his best friends.
“He always prepared hard, played hard, and set the standard for others. A person like Todd deserves to be remembered.”
That same reputation followed Todd throughout his more than 30-year career in construction. Jamie Fields, Senior Vice President of Elford Inc., worked alongside Todd for 24 years and credits him with having a profound impact on his own career.
“Todd was one of the best builders I’ve ever known,” Fields said. “No matter the size, complexity, or risk of a project, I knew that if Todd was involved, things were going to be OK,” Fields said. “He had a calming presence, treated people with respect, and led through example rather than words.
“This scholarship will help future construction professionals while keeping Todd’s legacy alive.”
Tim Oyster, a longtime friend and golf partner, remembered the side of Todd that made him such a joy to be around.
“Todd was always fun to be around,” Oyster said. “He was a great husband, a true friend, and one of the finest people I’ve ever known.
“He had a good heart and genuinely cared about others. Todd would be humbled to be remembered in this way.”
Todd’s father, Grover “Skip” Wilkinson, remembers a devoted son who began playing football at a young age in the Willie Davis Youth Football program and went on to become a standout athlete and respected business professional.
Despite eventually becoming a vice president within a major construction company, Todd remained humble and modest throughout his life.
In a final reflection of his lifelong connection to Fredericktown football, Todd requested that half of his cremated remains be placed beside his mother’s grave and the other half be scattered on the 50-yard line of the Fredericktown football field.
Former Fredericktown football coach Greg Bailie described Todd as a quiet but outstanding leader.
“He never missed a practice, played through pain, and was always dependable,” Bailie recalled. “What stood out most was how he treated younger players. He encouraged them, helped them, and never tried to intimidate them.
“He led by example every day.”
Those who knew Todd consistently describe the same qualities: integrity, humility, dependability, toughness, and genuine concern for others.
The new Todd Wilkinson Scholarship will ensure those values continue to influence future Fredericktown graduates for generations to come.
Through this scholarship, Todd Wilkinson’s legacy will live on in each student who receives assistance in pursuing an education and building a future.
His name will remain forever connected to the community he loved, the school he proudly represented, and the generations of Freddies who will follow in his footsteps.
